End effector for electrosurgical instrument
An end effector for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members (2), (3), movable between an open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. One or more spring members (15), (16), (17), (18), (19) are connected between the first and second jaw members (2), (3), such that moving the jaw members from their open position to their closed position causes the one or more spring members to compress. The one or more spring members have a fully compressed condition such that when in their fully compressed condition they form stop members to maintain the first and second jaw members (2), (3), at a predetermined spacing one from the other when in their closed position.
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Embodiments of this invention relate to an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument, and to an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue. Such systems are commonly used for the treatment of tissue in surgical intervention, most commonly in “keyhole” or minimally invasive surgery, but also in “open” surgery.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ARTIt is known to provide an electrosurgical instrument in which the sealing of tissue is effected by means of a pair of jaw elements. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,473,253 & 8,241,284 are two examples of this kind of instrument. These two patents describe the provision of one or more non-conductive stop members, in order to regulate the spacing between the jaws when tissue is held therebetween.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention attempt to provide an improvement to an arrangement instrument such as described above.
Accordingly, an end effector for an electrosurgical instrument is provided, the end effector comprising a pair of opposing first and second jaw members, at least one of the jaw members being pivotable relative to the other between a first open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a second closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, the jaw members being capable of being connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal,
the end effector including one or more spring members connected between the first and second jaw members such that moving the jaw members from their open position to their closed position causes the one or more spring members to compress, the one or more spring members having a fully compressed condition such that when in their fully compressed condition the one or more spring members form stop members to maintain the first and second jaw members at a predetermined spacing one from the other when in their closed position.
The one or more spring members therefore act not only as a way of regulating the resistance of the jaws to closure by the user, but also as a stop member to regulate the spacing between the jaws when they are in their closed position. Conveniently, the first and second jaw members are each pivotable with respect to each other about a common pivot. The end effector conceivably includes a single spring member located adjacent the pivot, or alternatively two spring members located one on either side of the longitudinal axis of the end effector. The jaw members typically include a sealing area in which the tissue is grasped, the sealing area often being provided with electrodes in the form of shims attached to the jaw members. The one or more spring members are preferably located outside the sealing area of the jaw members, such that they do not come into contact with tissue grasped between the jaws.
Even though the one or more spring members are located away from the main tissue grasping area, they are conveniently electrically insulating. Typically, they are formed of an electrically insulating material, such as from a polymer material. Alternatively, the one or more spring members are formed of a metallic material coated with an electrically insulating material.
The one or more spring members are preferably constrained by locating means present on the first and second jaw members. In this way, the one or more spring members are held in position between the jaws in a secure fashion. Conveniently, the locating means comprises recesses present on the first and second jaw members. The one or more spring members are located in the recesses to secure them in position. Alternatively or additionally, the locating means typically comprises location posts present on the first and second jaw members.
According to a first convenient arrangement, the one or more spring members comprise coil springs. Alternatively, the one or more spring members comprise disc springs, or conceivably even leaf springs. Whichever springs are employed, the one or more spring members provide a stop mechanism when they are in their fully compressed condition.
Embodiments of the invention further reside in a surgical instrument comprising;
i) a handle,
ii) an elongate shaft attached to the handle,
iii) an end effector located at the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a pair of opposing first and second jaw members, at least one of the jaw members being pivotable relative to the other between a first open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a second closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween,
iv) first and second connections by which the jaw members can be connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal,
v) an actuation mechanism associated with the handle for moving the jaw members between their open and closed positions,
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- the end effector including one or more spring members connected between the first and second jaw members such that moving the jaw members from their open position to their closed position causes the one or more spring members to compress, the one or more spring members having a fully compressed condition such that when in their fully compressed condition the one or more spring members form stop members to maintain the first and second jaw members at a predetermined spacing one from the other when in their closed position.
The instrument conveniently further includes a cutting blade actuable to cut tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. Typically, the cutting blade is a mechanical cutting blade mounted such that it can be advanced along the longitudinal axis of the end effector. Alternatively or additionally, the cutting blade is conceivably an electrosurgical electrode selectively connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. Whichever type of cutting blade is employed, the instrument also preferably includes a second actuation mechanism associated with the handle, the second actuation mechanism being actuable to reciprocate the cutting blade longitudinally with respect to the first and second jaw members.
Embodiments of the invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
A metallic shim 9 is present on the inward face of upper jaw 2, while a metallic shim 10 is present on the inward face of lower jaw 3. When the jaws 2 & 3 pivot into their closed position, the metallic shims 9 & 10 come into close proximity one with the other, in order to grasp tissue (not shown) therebetween.
Proximal of the shims 9 & 10 and adjacent the area where the jaw members converge is an area 11 in which is provided first and second locating posts 12 & 13. Post 12 is attached to the lower jaw 3, and extends towards the upper jaw 2, stopping short of the upper jaw. Post 13 is conversely attached to the upper jaw 3, and extends towards the lower jaw 3, stopping short of the lower jaw. The posts 12 & 13 are located in recesses 14 & 24 (see
As the jaw members 2 & 3 pivot from their open position towards their closed position, the coil springs 15 & 16 start to become compressed, thereby providing a resistance against the closure of the jaws. However, the structure of the coil springs is selected such that the resistance is relatively easy to overcome, and merely provides a “feel” for the closure of the jaws rather than a serious impediment. Once the jaws 2 & 3 start to approach their closed position, the coil springs 15 & 16 become fully compressed, with adjacent turns of the coil coming into contact with one another to form a closed tube structure. In this condition, the coil springs form a rigid structure between the jaws 2 & 3, with the springs contacting the base of the recesses 14 & 24 at each end. The closed springs therefore form a rigid stop member holding the jaws 2 & 3 apart by a predetermined distance, preferably between about 25 μm to about 350 μm (0.001 inches to about 0.014 inches). This jaw separation helps to ensure that tissue grasped between the jaws is sealed effectively, when an electrosurgical coagulating voltage is passed between the jaws.
Whichever arrangement is employed, the provision of spring members not only provides a controlled resistance to the closure of the jaws, but also constitutes stop members regulating the jaw spacing when the spring members are in their fully compressed position. Whether the spring members are coil springs (as in
Claims
1. An end effector for a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
- a pair of opposing first and second jaw members, at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member being pivotable relative to the other one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member between (i) a first open position in which the first jaw member and the second jaw member are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, and (ii) a second closed position in which the first jaw member and the second jaw member cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, the first jaw member and the second jaw member being configured to be connected to a source of electrical energy such that the first jaw member and the second jaw member conduct energy through the tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and
- at least one spring member connected between the first jaw member and the second jaw member, the first jaw member and the second jaw member moving from the open position to the closed position causing the at least one spring member to compress, the at least one spring member having a fully compressed condition in the closed position, the at least one spring member forming a stop member when the at least one spring member is in the fully compressed condition, the stop member maintaining a predetermined gap distal of the stop member between the first jaw member and the second jaw member along a length of the first jaw member and the second jaw member, when the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the closed position.
2. The end effector according to claim 1, wherein the first jaw member and the second jaw member are each pivotable with respect to each other about a common pivot.
3. The end effector according to claim 2, wherein the end effector includes a single spring member located adjacent the pivot.
4. The end effector according to claim 2, wherein the end effector includes two spring members located one on either side of a longitudinal axis of the end effector.
5. The end effector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring member is electrically insulating.
6. The end effector according to claim 5, wherein the at least one spring member is formed of an electrically insulating material.
7. The end effector according to claim 6, wherein the at least one spring member is formed of a polymer material.
8. The end effector according to claim 5, wherein the at least one spring member is formed of a metallic material coated with an electrically insulating material.
9. The end effector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring member is constrained by a locating structure located on the first member and the second jaw member.
10. The end effector according to claim 9, wherein the locating structure includes recesses located on the first jaw member and the second jaw member.
11. The end effector according to claim 9, wherein the locating structure includes location posts located on the first jaw member and the second jaw member.
12. The end effector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring member includes coil springs.
13. The end effector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring member includes disc springs.
14. The end effector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring member includes leaf springs.
15. An end effector for a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:
- a pair of opposing first and second jaw members, at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member being pivotable relative to the other one of the first jaw member and the second member between (i) a first open position in which the first jaw member and the second jaw member are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and (ii) a second closed position in which the first jaw member and the second jaw member cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, the first jaw member and the second jaw member being configured to be connected to a source of electrical energy such that the first jaw member and the second jaw member conduct energy through the tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; and
- at least one reactive member connected between the first jaw member and the second jaw member, the first jaw member and the second jaw member moving from the open position to the closed position causing the at least one reactive member to compress, the at least one reactive member having a fully compressed condition in the closed position, the at least one reactive member forming a stop member when the at least one spring member is in the fully compressed condition, the stop member maintaining a predetermined gap distal of the stop member between the first jaw member and the second jaw member along a length of the first jaw member and the second jaw member, when the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the closed position.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Feb 16, 2016
Date of Patent: Sep 17, 2019
Patent Publication Number: 20160235473
Assignee: GYRUS MEDICAL LIMITED (St Mellons, Cardiff)
Inventor: Michael John Hagland (Caerwent)
Primary Examiner: Daniel W Fowler
Assistant Examiner: Christine A Dedoulis
Application Number: 15/044,807
International Classification: A61B 18/14 (20060101); A61B 18/00 (20060101); A61B 90/00 (20160101); A61B 17/295 (20060101);